There were certainly mixed emotions as I read Paris Red, many of which changed and shifted over the course of the novel. Most of this is around the constantly shifting relationships from the narrator, Victorine, as she moves between walks of life. This, of course, begins with her relationship with her then roommate, Denise, and how they have bonded over the course of their time together. This shifts and becomes complicated with Manet, who takes the two of them on shared dates where Victorine slowly takes more charge. Eventually it leads to Victorine leaving Denise and assisting Manet with his work.
The big thing that stands out to me is the varying relationship between Victorine and Manet. The artist, himself, oftentimes seems very closed off and it leaves our narrator to read his subtle changes in his facial expressions. They bond over his work, their sex life, and, eventually, the shared eye of an artist, something of which is slowly revealed to the reader and Victorine herself. Despite their closeness, they never fully define their relationship besides a model working for an artist (with some sexy parts in between).
Though I found the ending somewhat disappointing since I felt the stakes were raised mere pages before it, it nevertheless concluded in a way that allowed the reader to imagine what might have happened afterwards. I wouldn’t call it bittersweet, but it certainly was left in a comfortable place with viewing Manet’s most recent painting of her and conveying Manet’s support in Victorine’s own art. Even though the novel ends, readers can assume that they continued their half-in, half-out relationship, Victorine got part of the contact that Manet promised her, and they both continued on to pursue their art and each other.
At first I felt that the ending was disappointing because it was so open ended, but I think I like that it allows for the reader to imagine the things that could have happened afterward.